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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What makes Hortensia angry enough to reveal Peter's infidelity to Marion?

2. When does Hortensia tell Mr. Marx she will contact Esme?

3. Which word best describes Bassey’s demeanor?

4. How are people learning updates about the Samsodien's land claim?

5. What does Bassey make for Innes?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Beulah’s pregnancy symbolically significant?

2. Why did Hortensia never confront Peter about the affair?

3. Why does Marion share the story about Alberta?

4. Why might Aggie have said “There’s blood here, Marion” (169)?

5. How do Hortensia and Marion’s perspectives on housekeepers differ?

6. How does Hortensia ultimately feel about marriage?

7. Why does Hortensia say she does not want to “absolve” Marion?

8. What was Marion’s teacher “Queen Victoria” attempting to educate her students regarding?

9. Why does Marion struggle to admit her feelings to Ludmilla?

10. How does Agnes ultimately feel about Marion?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How do the flashback scenes serve the overall narrative of the novel? What information do we learn from these scenes?

Essay Topic 2

How does the novel explain the development of Marion’s racism? What specific scenes from her childhood cause her to develop in the manner that she does?

Essay Topic 3

Describe Hortensia’s perception of and struggles with the concept of motherhood. How does this compare to Marion’s struggle?

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